Orient Watch Giveaway – April 2012

The Orient Watch Company has a dedicated following for good reason. They’re the only watchmaker whose foundation is a wide range of incredible looking yet affordable automatics. They’ve also partnered up with us to give away a watch a month for an entire year. Each month we’ll review then give away a different featured watch, plus you’ll also get a new promo code good for 30% off any watch (except for their “star” line) at OrientWatchUSA.com.

Sometimes it takes only one or two details to take a watch from “looks good” to “WHOA… awesome.” And for this one, Orient’s Sparta, it’s the triple day window combined with the interior placement of the hour numerals on the face.

It certainly has a field watch look to it. Take the Aviator Automatic, give it a shower and a shave, provide it with a clean, pressed shirt, and you get the Sparta. That’s not to say it’ll look right with a suit, because it won’t, but it’s plenty sharp to wear out with dark denim and a sportcoat. T-shirt and jeans on the weekend will look just as good along side it.

The bezel is functional and there’s texture for grip but they keep it subtle. It’s an automatic of course, so there’s some thickness to the case, but nothing over the top. Screw down crown, the case isn’t heavy yet feels solid, and it might look even more rugged with a NATO strap. Not that the stock contrast stitched band is any slouch. And the hands… gotta love the sharp, hypodermic needle, black bordered hands.

The crystal is mineral, and the 42mm brushed case is noticeably larger than most other field watches. So if you’re more the Seiko SNK80 series canvas strap type (those are around 37 mm) your wrist will be swallowed by this one. Not everyone is going to want a bright white face, so know there’s a black dial option as well. They’re sold out in the leather strap for that one, but for $28 more (w/ code) you can get the stainless steel band. Then swap out for leather. Also available with a grey dial on a stainless band.

Here’s how to win the Sparta seen here: Send your first and last name in an email to contests@dappered.com with the subject: Orient April. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET on 4/3/12.UPDATE: Congrats to Andrew S. who won the Orient Sparta. Thanks to all who entered.

Yup… 42mm is much too large for a field watch. Probably an ok size for a diver. I do like the rotating bezel on this one, though. If you’re looking for a field watch with a more traditional size and design, the Swiss-made quartz L.L. Bean Vintage Field Watch is hard to beat for $100.